New-car registrations in Russia increased 19 percent in July, the fifth consecutive month of increasing demand in a market emerging from a four-year slump. In the first seven months, sales rose 8.5 percent.

UK registrations fell 9 percent in July, the fourth consecutive month of declines. The result is the latest sign of how uncertainty about Brexit is hitting Britain's economy, the SMMT industry body said.

German new-car sales declined 3.5 percent last month to 327,693 vehicles, according to data from the KBA. The motor transport authority attributed the decline to there being two fewer selling days in June.

Italy's new-car registrations increased 13 percent in June to 187,642 units, according to figures from the country's transport ministry. “It is the best June since 2009,” said Gianmarco Giorda, director of auto industry association ANFIA.

New-car sales in Spain were up 6.5 percent last month to 131,797 units, according to industry association ANFAC. It was Spain's best June result since 2007, but market watchers see reasons to be concerned.

UK new-car registrations fell 8.5 percent last month as demand declined in the run-up to this week's national election and sales were hit by the effect of an April tax hike which boosted demand earlier in the year.